Fr locker engages on stands, not on the ground

[iptman]

A couple weeks ago I tested my lockers on a gravel lot and I couldn't get my front to lock up. The center and rear lock fine but the fronts don't. The indicator only flashes. They have locked up before so I know they worked at some point.

Last weekend we put the front end on jack stands and tried to lock up. No dice, not even a sound out of the motor. We pulled off the motor and were able to move the rack (through the hole on the 3rd) back and forth to engage/disengage the diff. Plugging the connectors back in the pinion did spin so we mounted it back up and sure enough (on jack stands) it would lock/unlock the diff. After buttoning everything back up we took her over to a gravel lot and the front locker would still not engage.

The only thing we weren't sure of is in the FSM it says to clock the pinion with the mark within 5 degrees of vertical. First of all is this clocked in the lock position or unlocked position. And second, why would this matter? The pinion only rotates a certain amount one way or the other so I can't noodle why you need to clock it before installing. Any ideas?

-Patrick

 

[WarDamnEagle]

If it locked on jack stands then it should lock on the ground. You have to get the two front tires to move at different speeds in order for the locker to engage (unless it just happens to be lined up perfectly when you throw the switch).

Are you driving in a circle? If not, then try that.

 

[iptman]

Yeah all over the circle driving. Back, forward, etc. Tried for about 15 minutes.

 

[iptman]

This is the page I'm talking about in the FSM regarding the pinion angle. Locked or unlocked?

 

[CowboyUp]

If the FR locker don't was used for a wile or at all, sometime will take some time to get on ( more the 6 months for me). I had problem on my cruiser to and I did the test in a gravel road, mud road and nothing and just few days ago the locker engaged in a gravel road cover with snow and mud when I did the test, because this cruisers are a beast and I don't think I need to lock the wheels to drive that forest service road ( most of the time I drove in D) . And if the locker/s will stay engage after you will turn off, get in revers and all will be fine. I had that problem to also.

 

[iptman]

When yours weren't working did you try throwing it on jack stands and locking it up? If I do that they lock up immediately when I spin one wheel an inch.

 

[CJF]

Yeah all over the circle driving. Back, forward, etc. Tried for about 15 minutes.

Do it again, on pavement.

Tight turns and circles like you'd do maneuvering around a parking lot.

A friend af mine couldn't get his to engage after he bought it. I had him come by, and said "Let's just drive around in front of my house and see what happens." He said ok, but swore he'd tried the same thing plenty of times and it wouldn't help.

Within a minute or two, it locked.

 

[iptman]

Do it again, on pavement.

I think the consensus here is this isn't a good idea based on old posts I've read. I'm kinda looking for something more than the standard "turn in circles" or "S turns." Like I said, I did try this on loose gravel. I'm not sure how doing it on pavement (more traction) would be better.

 

[CJF]

I think the consensus here is this isn't a good idea based on old posts I've read. I'm kinda looking for something more than the standard "turn in circles" or "S turns." Like I said, I did try this on loose gravel. I'm not sure how doing it on pavement (more traction) would be better.

Bullsh*t on it hurting anything.

Hey, you don't wanna try it, suit yourself.

 

[CowboyUp]

do in the snow or mud how I did.

 

[IanB]

I think the consensus here is this isn't a good idea based on old posts I've read. I'm kinda looking for something more than the standard "turn in circles" or "S turns." Like I said, I did try this on loose gravel. I'm not sure how doing it on pavement (more traction) would be better.

If you are trying to get it to lock, it shouldn't hurt anything. If it's locked and your doing this, that is when damage COULD occur.